Method of finishing knitted articles



`lune 10, 1958 W. v. BOWMAN ET AL. 2,838,217

METHOD OF' FINISHING KNITTED ARTICLES ATTORNEYS June 10, 1958 W. v. BOWMAN ET AL 2,838,217

METHOD OF FINISHING KNITTED ARTICLES Filed July 26, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS WADE V. Bev/MAN and HENRY Gx. B15-Lx..

5&1, bmw my ATTORNEYS June 10, 1958 w. v. BOWMAN ET AL 2,838,217

METHOD OF FINISHING KNITTED ARTICLES ATTORNEYS United States Patent-'O MiETHoDl on FrNrsInNo KNITr-ED ARnCLEs Wade V. Bowman, Hickory, andi Henry G. Bell, Highv Application July 26,-1956,SerialN70. 600,230r

' 3 Claims. (Cl. 223-60),

This invention relates to the art of finishing knitted articles, such as socks and other hosiery in particular, to prepare them for examination and purchase by the public, and it is a primary object of this invention to provide a novel method of finishing socks and other hosiery, after they have been dyed and extracted, which eliminates many of the finishing operations required heretofore with resultantI faster production than has heretofore been attainable and which method practically eliminates the necessity of storing finished socks in order to meet the demand for such socks as they are ordered by the retailer.

Heretofore, the method of preparing stockings made from cotton and other similar materials for marketing after the stockings have been dyed,l Washed and dried has required the steps of positioning each stocking on a dry formv which was heated by steam or electricity. Such dry forms were usually positioned upon. a table` with approXimately twenty-four of them to the table, depending upon the ability of the individual operator. In. other words, it was necessary that each sock or stocking be subjected to heat on the forms for a certain period of time in order to insure that the stockings were shaped or boarded properly. The operator would replace. each sock or stocking thus boarded With another as he. approached each dry form.

As each stocking was removed from a dry form it was placed on a suitable tray, the stockings usually being stacked in piles of a dozen each. The operatorV would then transfer the stacks of stockings, including a dozen in each stack, onto another tray or board positioned at theV end of each table and, when a given number of dozens` were placed upon the board, the operator carried the board with the stockings thereon to another part of the finishing room and would either place the board with the stockings thereon in a bin for storage purposes or deliver the board with the stockings thereon to the pai-rers. EachV pairer would then remove the stockings from the board on which they had been placed by the operator who performedfthe iinal boarding operation (which often required that the pairer go to the boarding room to collect the board with the dozens of pairs thereon), and then place the stockings on a table where the stockings in each lot were paired, inspected and graded into firsts, seconds, thirds, etc.

Thereafter, the stockings again were stacked in dozens on' a suitable board or tray and returned to the bins for storage unit such time as a particular size and type of stocking was ordered by the retailer. When such an order was received, the employee, who was to prepare the stockings for shipment to the retailer, had to search through they various storage bins and collect boards having stockings Which were manufactured according to the requirements of the order, and deliver such stockings to a transfer or marking operator who would then apply a number of decalcomanias r transfers to the stockings. Such decalcomanias or transfers usually include the size 2,838,217 Fatentedf June. 10, 1958 ICC and qualit-y of the stockings and a trade name. The latter operation involved removing the. stockings from the board on which they were positioned whenA delivered' to the transfer operator, then applying. theydecalcomanias or transfers to the stockings and then stacking them, in dozens, on another board or traywhereupon they were delivered to another operator who again removed the stockings from the corresponding. tray or board, positioned them` on a-r table, applied so-called rider tickets, to each pair of stockings (usually by means of a stapling machine or by adhesive means), and then again stack them on the latter board or tray. The pairs of stockings on the latter board werev then delivered tofanother; operator who removed them; from the latter board, placed. theme on a table, folded them and then boxed them ready; for shipment.

It is apparent thatl the abovemethod used heretofore has been costly and time-consuming; causing tardiness in making; shipments, required' considerable. space for vstorage of the stockings and has requiredy that an' exceptionally large inventory of finished stockings be maintained' in order to. fill each order receivedl as quicklyl as possible.

lt is: therefore:- another object of this inventionD to proi vide; an improved method ofl handling stockings; after they have been. dyed, washed and dried invvhich'many of the operations required heretofore are eliminated. with a resultantincreased rate of production in a given. period as compared tothe methodv used heretofore and; which method practically eliminates. or, at least considerably reduces therequired inventory of. themanuf'acturer. asrcompared tothe inventory required in order tofsatisfythel requirements of the method heretofore, employed.

Thev improved methodv includes: subjecting opposite sides of. pairs of. stockings or other textile: articles, which have been positioned on at, disposable, strip: insertsl substantia'lly'y in the shape of the articles, to pressure and heat to boardthe` articles on the inserts for distribution to the. public while on the inserts. The resultant package is generally of the type disclosed in United States@ Patent Nos.. 2,696,295 and 2,748,930, for example;

More specitically it is` an object of this invention. to provide'. a= method which includes placing each pair of vstock-ings. on a thin, fiat, elongated strip insert' onboard of. sheet material; made preferably from: a, cardboard, chipboard' or related paper type material', but. which may be: madel from plastic or sheet metal', if. d'esired, and'.` then pressing; the stockings, While on theI insert, between platensl Whilesubjecting the same to heat to board' the same for sale to the public While on the insert.

By mounting stockingsv or other knitted articles on lla-t inserts,` this renders such articles capable of being picked up by' suction cups or similar suction devices. Accordingly, it is another object of this invention toV provide ay method including using suction means. to feed such articles from a stack onto av conveyor and moving successive articles, either intermittently or continuously,

through a pressy or ironing machine for pressing the ari ticles.- to conform them with the shape of the inserts positioned therein, during which pressing, the articles may be subjected to steam.

This.v method facilitates rapid boarding of stockings, since, for example, pairs of stockings', after being pressed o1'. boarded on the inserts may be delivered, on the conveyor, to a machine which automatically transfers decalcomanias. to the stockings, after which the rider tickets may or may not be applied to each pair of, stockings. The stockings may then be inverted and passed over a platform having a slot therein extending transversely of the: longitudinal axis of each successivev pair of stockings, whereupon a rigid member passes downwardlyY against the stockings and forces them through the slot to fold the same. In order to further insure that the fold is properly formed, the stockings may be passed between driven calendar rolls or pressure rolls and then passed onto another conveyor for transferring them to the shipping department.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figures 1 and l-A are, collectively a schematic view illustrating the machinery and steps through which the stockings pass in accordance with one form of the improved method, and showing other related processes;

Figure 2 is an isometric view of one of the inserts or forms prior to its being positioned within a stocking or a pair of stockings;

Figure 3 is an isometric view similar to Figure 2, showing a pair of stockings mounted on the insert, with portions of the stockings and insert broken away;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view mostly in elevation showing means for positioning insert forms in pairs of stockings and being taken substantially along line 4-4 in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of means for folding the pairs of stockings on the insert forms, taken substantially along line 5-5 in Figure 1A;

Figures 6 and 6-A are collectively a view similar to that collectively shown in Figures 1 and 1A showing another embodiment of the improved method wherein the movement of the pairs of stockings on corresponding inserts through the pressing means and the transfer or decalcomaniaapplying means and to the folding means is uninterrupted whereas, in the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 1A, the pairs of stockings on corresponding inserts are advanced through the pressing means and the transfer-applying means and to the folding means intermittently.

As heretofore stated, the improved process involves positioning a first stocking of a pair on a fiat elongated form' of sheet material made preferably from cardboard or other material of a weight and strength sufficient to support stockings in a at position, but which will retain its rigidity and original configuration when the stockings are placed thereon and still possess a certain degree of flexibility. Thereafter, the second stocking of a pair is positioned over the first stocking and the insert form Within the first stocking. The stockings may be positioned on the insert by any desired means. One embodiment of such means is disclosed in the copending application of Wade V. Bowman et al., Serial No. 499,392, filed April 5, 1955 and entitled Hosiery Form Inserting Apparatus and Method, but does not constitute part of the present invention. Of course, any reasonable number of articles may be placed on each insert form.

The term stocking is used in the specification and claims to define mens, womens and childrens socks and stockings of the type known as ankle socks, as well as socks which extend as far as part way up on the calf of the wearer and particularly refers to stockings made from cotton, synthetic yarn, rayon and the like.

A typical disposable insert form which may be used in carrying out the present method is indicated at 10 in Figures 2 and 3. The form 10 is shaped to conform to the usual stocking in that it includes an elongated body 11 which is relatively thin, say, one-sixteenth of an inch thick, and which body 11 is provided with a rounded toe portion 12 at one end thereof, a at ended, relatively narrow or reduced welt portion 13 at its other end and a rounded projection or heel portion 14 on a medial portion of the body 11. Of course, the body 11, its toe portion 12, welt portion 13 and heel portion 14 conform substantially with the usual body, toe, welt and heel portions of the stockings to be positioned thereon. One pair of stockings is shown mounted on an insert form 10 in Figure 3, one of the stockings of the pair being .indicated at 15 and the other being indicated at 16.

.paper to printing machines.

Generally, the form inserting apparatus shown in the accompanying drawings comprises a Stationary nest bar 20 which projects upwardly from a table 21 and against which the flat end or welt portion 13 of each successive insert or form 10 is positioned. The nest bar 20 is straddled by a pair of upright first or inner rigid insert form guides 22, 22 which are, in turn, adapted to be straddled by a pair of outer upright insert form guides 23, 23. The insert guides 22, 23 are all of substantially the same shape and size throughout the major portion of the length thereof and are shaped to conform substantially to, and are preferably slightly larger than, the insert or form 10, to the extent that each of the guides has a rounded free end or toe portion 25 and a medial outwardly projecting heel portion 26 thereon which conform substantially to the toe portion 12 and the heel portion 14 of the insert form 10.

The lower portions of the inner form guides 22 extend downwardly through an opening 27 provided in the table 21 (Figure 4) and are fixed to a bracket 30 which is raised and lowered with a bar 3i, by means such as a manually operated uid pressure system generally designated at 32. Since the uid pressure system, which is partially shown in the form of a cylinder and piston in Figure 4, is fully described in said copending application, a detailed illustration and description thereof is deemed unnecessary. The bracket 30 also has the lower ends of Vthe outer form guides 23 pivotally connected thereto, as at 35, and a spring 36 (Figure l) normally maintains the outer guides 23 in parallel alignment with the inner guides 22.

The outer guides 23 have a suitable latch 37 thereon which, in the course of each upward movement of the guides 22, 23 engages a stationary, but releasable abutment 40 (Figures l and 4) so the outer guides 23 are swung out of alignment with the inner guides 22 as shown in Figure l with each upward stroke of the guides 22, 23. On the other hand, when the abutment 4G is moved out of engagement with latch 37, the outer guides 23 move into alignment with the inner guides 22.

Thus, as each successive insert form 10 is mounted in vertical position with its lower edge upon the upper edge of the nest bar 20, the form guides 22, 23 occupy lowered position and are then moved upwardly to occupy substantially the position of Figure l. Thereupon, the first stocking 15 of a pair is drawn over the form guides 22 and, thus, over the insert form l() then positioned between the guides 22. Thereupon, the outcr guides 23 are released soA they move to occupy positions in parallel relation to the inner guides 22 and the second hose 16 of the pair is then drawn over the outer guides, in the course of which it is drawn over the inner guides 22 and thc insert form 10 therebetween.

The form guides 22, 23 are then moved to lowered position relative to the nest 20 and table 21 and the corresponding pair of stockings on the insert are then placed upon a conveyor 42 which may be constantly or intermittently driven, as desired. The conveyor 42, which may be termed as sock or stocking delivery conveyor, then moves each successive pair of stockings on the corresponding insert into a stacking container 43, of any desired construction, to form a stack of paired hose 44 therein. The stack of paired hose 44 is then positioned upon a platform or elevator 45 of a suction-type sock feeding device 46 preferably of a well known type generally used in the paper-printing` industry for feeding A typical suction feeding device of this type is manufactured by Davidson Corporaattracted' tolsu'ction' cups'y due to the insertion of insert yforms therein",` the positioning of insert forms in" the stockings being the tirst step in the present method'.

The elevator 45 of the stocking feeding device automatically moves upwardly in a step-by-step manner so as to position the uppermost pair of stockings in the stack 44' for engagement by a suction pick-up' and advancing device which performs a second step in the' present method. This device is generally designated at`47 and is part of' the feeding device 46. The suction feeder 47 is in the form of one'or more suction cups mounted on the lower ends of pivoted arms Sti. The suction pick-up devices are connected to a suitable source of suction or a` suction pump' indicated at 51, by means of one or more conduits' 52'. As the arms 50 move to the broken line each successive pair of socks or stockings engages a constantly driven roller 53 to feed the same between la pair of constantly driven feed belts 55, 56.

The` feed belts 55, 56 feed each successive pair of stockings 1'5, 16 and a corresponding insert form 10 onto an intermittently driven endless main conveyor 57 supported on an idler rollerrSSr and a driven roll 59, the roll 59 being intermittently driven by any suitable means. For the sake of convenience, roll 59 may be driven by suitable connections with an intermittently driven roll 66 of a decalcomania-appiying or transfer-applying machine 6l. The transfer-applying machine 61 and elements subsequent thereto do not constitute elements of the present invention. Said last-named connections may include sprocket wheels a, b and a chain c. The roll 60 is driven by a ratchet mechanism including a ratchet pawl 63 and a ratchet wheel 64, the ratchet wheel 64 being supported in fixed coaxial relation to the roll 6i? and sprocket wheel E'. A link 65 connects a crank 66 with the pawl 63 and the crankv 66- is constantly driven by means of a pair of sprocket wheels-6f7` which are interconnected by an endless belt or chain 70;

The sprocket wheel 67 is driven by an electric motor 71. The ratchet mechanism 63, 64 and roll 60 are parts of' a transfer-applying machinev or decalcomania-applying mach-incl su'c'h as is disclosed in U'. S; Patent 2,286,458 issuedA to Wade V. Bowman et al. on June 16, 1942 and, therefore, the transfer-applying machine need not be described inV detail.

v Aseach successive stocking' or pair of stockings on the! insert'A is deposited upon the upper run of the main conveyor S7, it is then advanced through an ironing or pressing machinebroadly designated at 75', this being an extremely important step in the present method. The ironingmachine may be of conventional or other construction andis shown as being of a type manufactured by New York Pressing Machinery Sales, 880-8S8 Broadway,v New York 3, New York and as disclosed in their sales sheet identitied as Form No, 122. The ironing or pressingr machine 75 comprises lower and upper heated p'llatens which' arenormally spaced apart from each other. The upper run o-f the main conveyor 57 moves in sliding engagement with the upper surface of' the lower platen 76 and, as each successive pair of stockings on an insert is' advanced between th'e platens 76, 77, the upper platen 77 remains in open position. l

During the interim between successive movements of theA conveyor 57, the upper platen 77 is moved downwardly intol pressing engagement with the stockings to thereby perfo-rm boarding operation upon the' stockings whilel on the insert, the inserts thus serving as boarding forms. The platens 76, 77 are preferably of sufficient length so that each successive pair of stockings on a correspondinginsert is repeatedly pressed between the platens 76, 77

As it is'y wellknown, a commercial ironing machine such as; that' exemplified at' 75 in Figure l', is provid-ed with means' whereby steam maybe directed to either or both of the platens7677 rfrom a suitable source S0, whenl desired 4position shown in Figure l, the suction is released so and', generally, as4 the stockings are initially pressed or ironed between the platens 76, 77, steam is admitted to the` platens and the stockings. The ow of steam to the platens is interrupted prior to each upward movement of the upper platen 77 so the stockings are dried by the heat from the platens. Of course, many of such machines are provided with a suitable vacuum suction dryer to further' insure that' the stockings are dry as they move outwardly from between platens 76, '77.

In the rst form of the invention shown in Figures'l and l-A, the conveyor 57 is advanced intermittently, as here*- tofore stated, andthe movement' of the upper platen 7'7 is controlled in timed relation to the movement of the con'- veyor 57 by means of a normally open switch 82 nterposed in an electrical circuit to an' electric motor 83. In this instance, a two-wirey circuit is shown for operating the electric motor 83, the twowires being indicated at 84, and the switch 82 being interposed in the wire 84'. The wires 84, 85 extend from the electric motor 83 to a suitableA source of current shown in the form of a plug 86;

The switch 82 is closed during at least a portion of each inactive stroke of the ratchet pawl 63 (Figure l-A), in the' course of which an upwardly biased arcuate member or spring 87 is engaged by the crank 66 and moved down*- wardly thereby against the switch 82 for closing the same; Buring each active stroke of the pawl 63, the crank 66 movesA out of engagement with the arcuate member 87 to break the circuit to the motor 83.

It will `be notedl that the motor 33 drives a member, wheel or disk 88Y to which the lower end of a link 8*)v is pivotally' connected, the upper end of the link 89 being connected t'o the upper movable platen 77 of the pressing machine 75. 'Thus, withY each inactive stroke of the pawl 63 (during which the conveyor 60' isy stationary), the switch 32 is closed for a suicient length of timeto impart a revolution to the member' 88,. driven by motor 83, to movethe' upper platen 77 of the pressing machine 75' downwardly against the upper run of the conveyor S7 and against the upper surface of the lower' platen 76 and to then' returnthe upper platen 77 to raised position.

As' heretofore stated, after the pairs of' stockings pass through the ironing` station or apparatus' 75, they are ad'- vanced', vby the conveyor `belt 57 onto an endless conveyor 90 mounted von and driven by the roll 66. The conveyor 90'is' a part'of the transfer-applying machine, such as disclosed in said? patent. The transfer-applying machine is more particularly shown as a type disclosed in the abandoned: application of, Wade V. Bowman, Serial No. 346,752, filed April 3, 1953 and entitled Transfer Applying Apparatus-and Counting Mechanism Thereof. The transfer machine is not4 an element of the present invention but is disclosed herein to point up the advantages of the present method. The transfer machine includes an idler roll' 91 about which the conveyor 9@ is mounted. The conveyor 96'ispreferably in the form of Va plurality' of parallel, spaced, ribbon-like' belts' 4having relatively narrow endless discharge belts 9'3 disposed therebe'tv'veenv and also mounted in the roll 91. The discharge belts 93 are also mounted on small idler rolls 94. Apressure or retaining endless belt 95, mounted on rolls 96, 97 moves. in engagement with the inclinedy upper runs of the discharge belts 93.

Strips or tapes i0() are pulled from their respective sources 1.61 by a driven take-up roll 102. and, in their course from the sources 191 to the take-up roll 102, the tapes 100 pass beneath a vertically reciprocable transferapplying iron 103 which', during' the intervals between successive forward movements of the upper run of the transfer machine conveyor 90; moves downwar ly against the corresponding pair of stockings on its form` 10 to transfe'r the' indicia from the strips or tapes T100 to the outermost' stockingY of the pair. The machine is provided with conventional means, not shown, for stopping each successive pair of stockings upon' a plate 104 which may also move upwardly as the transfer-applying iron 103 moves downwardly. v

As the stockings are advanced by the transfer-applying machine conveyor belt 90, each successive article passes between the proximal runs of the discharge and pressureapplying belts 93, 95 and are directed onto a plurality of oscillatable arms 110, only one of which is shown in Figure l-A. At predetermined intervals, the arms 110 are rotated to invert the stockings or article previously positioned thereon and drop them onto a conveyor 111 which is also driven in timed relation to the conveyors 57 and 96. The conveyor 111 is mounted on rollers or rolls 112, 113 and 114 and its upper run extends upwardly and forwardly at an angle and then horizontally and may. deliver each successive pair of stockings on its corresponding insert onto a platform 120 which is slotted, as at 121 (Figures l-A and transversely of the longitudinal axis of the successive pairs of stockings'.

A vertically reciprocable folding plate 122 is normally spaced above the platform 120 in alignment with the slot 121 and, as each successive pair of stockings is positioned upon the platform 120, the plate 122 moves downwardly, creases and partially folds the corresponding pair of stockings and its insert intermediate its ends, as such shown in Figure 5. As the folding plate 122 moves downwardly through the slot 121, the folded medial portion of the corresponding pair of stockings is forced between a pair of spring loaded and suitably driven calender rolls 124 which further assist in creasing and folding the corresponding pair of stockings and direct the same downwardly onto a constantly moving conveyor 126 which may carry the pairs of stockings to any suitable location such as a packvaging machine, storage room or bin.

Modified form of the invention A modified form of the improved method is illustrated in Figures 6 and 6-A. Generally, the method carried out by the apparatus shown in Figures 6 and 6-A is very similar to the method carried out by the apparatus shown in Figures l and l-A, with the exception that, upon the pairs of socks, stockings or other knitted articles on corresponding forms being fed from the feeding station, the stockings move continuously; without interruption, through the ironing or pressing station and the transfer or decalcomania-applying station to the stocking inverting or turning device. Accordingly, as much of the sock form-inserting station, stacking apparatus, sock feeding station, the sock turning station and the sock folding station as is shown in Figures 6 and 6-A shall bear the same reference characters as the corresponding stations shown in Figures 1 and l-A in order to avoid repetitive description.

Now, the method performed by the means shown in Figures 6 and 6-A includes the steps of positioning knitted articles, such as pairs of socks or stockings, on inserts and this may be carried out at the sock form inserting machine in exactly the manner heretofore described in the description of the first form of the invention to form the stack 44 which is positioned upon the elevator 45 and, whereupon, the uppermost pair of socks is transferred, by the suction devices 47, to a pair of constantly driven belts 155, 156 which feed each successive pair of stockings onto a constantly moving conveyor belt 157 mounted on an idler roll 158 and a constantly driven roll 159.

The conveyor belt 157 may be driven by suitable connections with a roll 160 on which an endless conveyor 161, of a transfer-applying machine 162, is mounted. The transfer-applying machine 162 and the form-inserting and stacking stations are not elements of the present invention. The forms may be positioned in the stockings by any suitable means. The last-named connections may include sprocket wheels e, f and a chain q. The roll 160 is driven by any suitable motive means such as au electric motor 163 which is connected with a roll 168 on which `conveyor 161 is also mounted. The motor 163 is connected with roll -168 by means of a sprocket chain 164 and a pair of sprocket wheels 165, 166, the sprocket wheel 165 being driven by the motor 163 and the sprocket wheel 166 being fixed in co-axial relation to the roll 168. The conveyor 161 is preferably in the form of a plurality of relatively narrow belts in order to accommodate an endless transfer machine discharge conveyor 167 which is also in the form of a plurality of relatively narrow endless belts which, with the belts of conveyor 161, are mounted on said roll 168 and a roll 170. A hold-down discharge belt 172 is positioned above the discharge conveyor 167 and mounted on idler rolls 173, 174, the proximal runs of the conveyors 167,172 being inclined downwardly and forwardly from the upper run of the conveyor 161 for directing pairs of stockings or other knit articles from the transfer-applying machine 162 to the turning device 11G.

Referring now to the ironing station, here again, an important step in the present method is performed by means of a suitable pressing machine 175 (Figure 6), which may be substantially the same as the pressing machine 75 in Figure l, but wherein the lower and upper platens 176, 177 occupy closed position at all times during operation of the endless conveyor 157, and the lower surface of the upper run of the main conveyor 157 moves in sliding engagement with the upper surface of the lower platen 176. The upper surface of the upper run of the conveyor 157 is also engaged by an endless conveyor 180 mounted on idler rolls 181, 182 and whose lower run moves in sliding engagement with the lower surface of the upper platen 177. The conveyor is preferably driven through contact with the upper run of the main conveyor 157 and the pairs of socks or stockings therebetween.

As is the case in the first form of the invention, the platens 176, 177 may be heated by any suitable means, such as electricity or steam and, also, a suitable source of steam 185 may be connected to the platens 176, 177 for moistening the stockings during the pressing operation, if desired.

The transfer-applying machine, of which the rolls 160, 168, the conveyor 161 and the discharge conveyor 167, 172 are parts, is broadly designated at 162 and may be of substantially the type disclosed in said Patent No. 2,286,458. However, since the conveyor 161 moves continuously, an endless belt 193 engages the upper surface of the upper run of the conveyor 161, or the pairs of stockings passing therebetween, and its lower portion is engaged by a heater or iron 196. The belt 193 is mounted on a driven roll 194 and an idler roll 195 and a strip or strips having spaced decalcomanias thereon are drawn from a source 192 and pass in engagement with the lower portions of belt 193.

A fixed platform 197 is disposed beneath that portion of the top run of conveyor 161 which passes beneath the belt 193, and the iron or heater 196, to insure that indicia is transferred from the strip or strips 190 to the stockings passing between the proximal portions of the belt 193 and the conveyor 161.

The endless belt 193 must, of necessity, be driven at the same surface speed as the conveyor 160 and, of course, the indicia on the strip 190 should be spaced to correspond to the space between adjacent pairs of stockings as determined by the suction feeding devices 47. The endless belt 193 may be driven in any desired manner and, in this instance, a sprocket chain 200 is mounted on a pair of sprocket Wheels 201, 202 which are fixed in co-axial relation to the respective rolls 168, 194. Also, a take-up roll 204, for the strip or strips 190 may be driven in timed relation to the surface speed of the conveyor belt 193, as by a belt h and sprockets i.

It is thus seen that the stockingsor other knitted articles are moved continuously as they are deposited upon the main conveyor 157 and passed through the ironing or pressing apparatus 175 and the transfer machine 162. As

eachrsuccessive pair of stockings is discharged from the transfer-applying machine 187 by the discharge conveyor belts 167, 172, it is then inverted by the turning device 110, deposited upon endles belt 111 and transferred to the sock folding station which functions in exactly the same manner in both Figures lA and 6-A.

It is thus seen that we have provided a novel method of finishing or finally boarding hosiery and similar articles which eliminates many of the operations heretofore involved in the finishing of hosiery and which Ialso eliminates much of the lost motion heretofore involved in prior processes of this character. The improved process minimizes the amount of time involved in the finishing process to such extent that the necessity of maintaining a large inventory in the manufacturing plant is eliminated. According to the present method, hosiery or other knit- Wear may be taken directly from the extractor and placed on inserts either singly Yor in pairs and the inspection and grading of the hosiery may be carried out at the time that the inserts are positioned in the stockings.

It is apparent that different sizes of inserts or forms would be required for different sizes of stockings. When the stockings are placed on the feed conveyor or delivery conveyor 42, in each instance, they may be passed directly onto the corresponding main conveyor 57 or 157. However, the automatic suction feeding devices 47 are used in order to insure that the stockings on the insert forms are properly spaced and to accommodate the corresponding transfer-applying machine.

As the stockings are positioned upon either of the conveyors 57 or 157, the stockings pass through the corresponding pressing or ironing station and are thus, finally `boardedjwhile on the insert form, thus eliminating the,

boarding operations which have been required heretofore following the removal of the stockings from an extractor. Although subsequent steps are not steps of the present method, the transfers or decalcomanias may then be automatically applied to each successive article, stocking or pair of stockings, as the case may be, and the rider ticket may also be automatically or manually applied to each Vstocking or pair of stockings in its course between the transfer-applying means and the folding station. The stockings may then be folded on the corresponding inserts and automatically transferred to another location where they may be fed into a tray or chute from which they may be taken and placed in conventional machinery for sorting and packaging the stockings for shipment.

Thus, the present method enables the finishing or processing of hosiery at such a speed, as compared to previous methods, that the stockings may be processed as orders are received from the retailer, with the result that only stockings which have been dyed and extracted need be stocked or stored. This practically eliminates maintaining an inventory which, in many plants, would be valued at a million dollars or more. It has been found that the present process substantially reduces the cost of finishing hosiery after` they'have been dyed and extracted to approximately one half the cost of prior methods and reduces the licor space required for storage of stockings to approximately one fourth the floor space that has been required in prior processes.

Although the present method is described herein as being particularly applicable to hosiery, this is also meant to include many other forms of textile articles such as underwear, neckties and the like.

ln the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

We claim:

1. The method of boarding pairs of mens hose which comprises inserting a paper board form of disposable material and of substantially the same lengthand shape as a finished hose in one of the hose of a pair, inserting said first hose while on the form within a second hose of the pair, and then pressing the pair of hose while on the form between a pair of heated platens while subjecting the hose to steam.

2. The method of processing hosiery for marketing which includes the steps of positioning a disposable semirigid form member in a hose wherein the form member is of a length less than that of the hose and of the configuration desired of the hose, then positioning at least one additional hose over the first-mentioned hose and then subjecting the hose to sufficient heat, while on the form member, to heat-set the hose.

3. The method of finishing pairs of hose which comprise inserting a disposable paperboard form in a first hose of each pair, inserting the first hose while on the form in a second hose of said pair, and subjecting each pair of hose while on a corresponding paperboardform to sufficient heat .to set the yarn from which the hose are made.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,162,100 Pope Nov. 30, 1915 2,525,111 Asfphan ocr. 10, 1950 2,550,559 Heldmaier Apr. 24, 1951 2,696,295 Berry Dec. ,7, 1954 

